The Sharks had been looking for a veteran defenseman. Now they’re also in the market for a chief executive officer.

Greg Jamison unexpectedly announced Wednesday that he was stepping down as president and CEO of Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, the parent group for San Jose’s only major pro sports team and a significant presence on the South Bay concert scene as the operator of HP Pavilion.

Jamison ruled out health issues or the need to spend more time with his family as the reasons behind the move, which takes effect Oct. 1. Instead, he explained, the timing of his decision has more to do with the fact he turned 60 on June 15.

“This idea of stepping away and really reflecting a little bit, I’m actually looking forward to it,” said Jamison of his plan to take a year or so off. “I’ve been working 38 years and very rarely have had any break in 38 years. I’m looking forward to not doing anything. Will I be able to do that forever? Of course not. Sixty is a lot younger than it used to be.”

Jamison had an NBA background before joining the Sharks front office in 1993, but he said there was no connection between his departure and the pending change of ownership for the Golden State Warriors that will lead to management changes.

“That did not enter into the thinking. I know Joe Lacob,” Jamison said, referring to one of the new Warrior owners. “But I haven’t talked to Joe, and I don’t have any anticipation of talking to him.”

The Sharks announced they have not yet begun the process of finding a successor to Jamison, who will remain as part of the ownership group and continue to represent San Jose on the NHL board of governors. He will also continue as president of the Sharks Foundation.

Jamison became president of the Sharks in 1996, and by 2002, Jamison had put together the present ownership group at the request of George Gund, who was looking to sell the team while making sure it remained in San Jose. Jamison and former Mayor Tom McEnery rounded up local investors with a later infusion of capital from German high tech businessman Hasso Plattner.

Under Jamison’s leadership, SVSE has responsibility for managing all activity at the arena and has expanded its business side to include Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts and tennis tournaments as well as the operation of three ice rinks in the Bay Area.

Despite that, Jamison has said each season that the team has not turned a profit. Wednesday he said that was also the case in 2009-10, despite the fact San Jose reached the third round of the playoffs.

“I think everybody’s comfortable with it,” Jamison said after being asked to gauge the ownership group’s reaction to the ongoing annual losses.

“But I do think as we move forward, there’s going to be great hope and belief in a new collective bargaining agreement that might have a more positive impact,” he added.

Bay Area News Group staff writer Mark Emmons contributed to this report.

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